Even if you’re not into history or touring historical homes you will fall in love with Biltmore Estate. Not only did I fall in love with this estate but it is where my husband proposed to me, so it will always be a special place for us. I had never even heard of this place until my husband’s family took me there for a mini vacation. Upon arrival you feel enchanted by the scenic driveway leading to the house. Once you go through the gates and turn the corner the magic begins. It literally took my breath away. This 250 room mansion is a work of art constructed in 1889. Taking six years to complete, it is known worldwide as the largest privately owned home in the U.S.
History
George Vanderbilt, a businessman who enjoyed escaping the city to the mountains, visited Asheville, North Carolina for the first time in 1887. He instantly fell in love with the Blue Ridge Mountains. He wanted the Biltmore Estate to be self-sustaining, and today that still holds evident in the corn fields, the winery, and so much more. The home is still owned by the descendants of George and Edith Vanderbilt. Hospitality has always been at the forefront of the Vanderbilt household and that is true for all those that visit their beautiful home.
Visiting
There is not a bad time of year to tour Biltmore Estate. I have been in every season and can say that each season has its own distinctive quality and they should each be enjoyed for their own unique experience. If you’re a horticulturist at heart you may want to plan your visit around the bloom of the gardens. There’s a sea of brightly colored tulips in spring, a plethora of roses in summer, and an army of neatly arranged mums in the fall. The conservatory is always stunning with blooms. Even if you’re not a plant person, it’s worth going inside. Take a walk down to the bass pond where you will find a walking trail with multiple plant species along the way, and a great place to take pictures. There are also benches available to rest and enjoy the views.
The house tour is one tour you will never forget – from the many rooms, to the elaborate decoration and secret passageways – everywhere you look there’s something incredible to behold. The rooms are set up just as they would have been back in the 1800s when George and Edith walked the halls. You will get a sense of what it was like to live as they did, and the culture of those in their position during that time. I always take advantage of the special tours they do throughout the year. These tours are only for a short time period and give you a deeper look inside the glamorous lives of these fascinating people. No detail was overlooked when it came to the construction of this home, and no expense was spared in order to create this lavish life. I could see myself sitting with the Vanderbilts on the porch looking out to the Blue Ridge Mountains, having a feast in the dining hall with the organ bellowing above, or cozied up by the fire encapsulated by conversation.
Eats + Treats
You will want to plan for an entire day at the Biltmore Estates; the house tour alone takes approximately two hours at a steady pace. You will find some delicious food in the barn (yes that’s right the barn), where they have converted a typical barn full of horses and gear into a quaint shopping and dining area. The Stable Café is a great place to stop in and have lunch or supper. The ice cream which you will see on your way into the barn is one of a kind, because it is made from the milk of their very own dairy cows. A cold tasty treat on a hot day is just the thing. When it’s cold you will find hot coffee in the courtyard to warm you up instead.
End of the Road
Some other activities worth mentioning are complementary wine tasting, a luxury spa, biking/hiking, birding, clay shooting, boating, horseback riding, and fishing, just to name a few of the many, many things to do while at Biltmore Estate. Ticket prices vary throughout the year with the least expensive times to visit being in the dead of winter (January through March) since the gardens are not in bloom and there are typically no major events at that time. Christmas at Biltmore Estate is a major event and starts in early November so if you want to see Biltmore in full Christmas Spirit you will want to go in December. You can even watch their live online feed of the tree raising for the dining hall. No matter when you visit you will always have something incredible to discover. Take a trip to this historical home and let us know about your experience.
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